Binary vocals…
Vocalist Lizzie Thomas puts together an album with the creative idea of creating duets with a wide variety of partners, including but not limited to Ron Carter/b, Russell Malone/g, Wayne Escoffery/ts and Rossano Sportello/p. The material is a mix of standards and a couple modern Boomer pieces, and while the instrumentation varies, Thomas’ delivery doesn’t. Her strong, confident and bold voice, mixed with strong dynamics, works well on a playful “Love For Sale” with pianist Helio Alves, but not so much on the deservedly noir “Lush Life” with Escoffery or primary colors of “My Foolish Heart” with Malone or “Both Sides now with electric guitarist Ron Affif. One size doesn’t quite fit all.
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Allegra Levy sounds like a female version of Mr. Rogers on this cozy album of cozy songs for tykes. She’s teamed with Jason Yeager/key, Andrew Baird/g-etc, Timothy Norton/b, Sammy Wags/dr, and a slew of horns and backing voices. There are a wide range up upbeat jazzy ideas, like a salsa’d “Los Animales” , a folksy “Hello Song” New Orleanish R&B on “Clap Your Hands”, a bopping “Hip Hip Hooray” and fingerpopping “I Got A Boo Boo”. Completely charming, life affirming and inviting. Won’t you be her neighbor?